Kentucky Seeks Volunteers to Protect Foster Kids

Every month, ordinary Kentuckians are changing the lives of foster children by spending just one day reviewing their cases and fighting for their futures.

The Citizen Foster Care Review Board (CFCRB) is recruiting volunteers across 54 Kentucky counties to help advocate for thousands of children who've been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or dependency. These volunteers review cases and make recommendations to courts and state agencies to ensure each child gets the services they need and finds a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible.

The timing is especially meaningful. April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a reminder that protecting vulnerable children is a responsibility shared by entire communities.

"By volunteering with a CFCRB board, community members can play a direct role in improving outcomes for children in foster care," said Mika Tyler, CFCRB State Vice Chair. "National Child Abuse Prevention Month reminds us that protecting children is a shared responsibility."

The commitment is manageable for busy lives. Volunteers typically review cases virtually one day each month, with meeting times varying by board to accommodate different schedules.

Getting started requires an application, background checks, and six hours of initial training conducted through two Zoom meetings and two self-paced online programs. Once training is complete, the chief judge of the local Family Court or District Court appoints approved volunteers to their county board.

The Ripple Effect

When volunteers step up to review foster care cases, the impact extends far beyond the hours they serve. Each recommendation they make can shape a child's path toward stability, healing, and a loving permanent home. Their advocacy helps prevent children from languishing in the system and ensures no case falls through the cracks.

The need spans from urban Jefferson County to rural counties like Wolfe and Owsley. In each location, volunteers bring fresh community perspective to complex cases, helping judges and state workers see the full picture of what each child needs.

The program works because it brings everyday citizens into direct contact with problems they can help solve. These aren't professional social workers or attorneys, but neighbors, parents, retirees, and professionals who care enough to learn the system and speak up for kids who need champions.

Anyone interested can apply now at kcoj.info/CFCRB to begin the screening and training process, or watch a brief informational video at kcoj.info/CFCRBVideo to learn more about what volunteering involves.

One day a month could mean the difference between a child spending years in uncertainty or finding their way home.